Indoor live bird capture system

ABSTRACT

A bird capture net which allows the use of quickly adjusting the height for capture and release is described, which includes height adjustable poles attached to bird netting.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent contains material that issubject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection tothe reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patentdisclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent filesor records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the live capture of flying vertebratesin an indoor setting. In particular, it relates to a net deployingsystem designed for inside large enclosure buildings.

Description of Related Art

The advent of large warehouses, big box stores, large grocery stores,malls, and the like, has caused an increase in the number of birds, aswell as other large flying vertebrates, such as bats, finding their wayinside the buildings. Depending on the species, if there is no action toget rid of the flying vertebrate, it can remain in the building for anextended time. This can cause the spread of disease, problems because ofdefecation, annoyance to customers, as well as the destruction ofproducts inside the store.

A number of methods are utilized to capture flying vertebrates. Trapsare used, but frequently the traps are not very humane. Birds aresomewhat attracted to light, so that dimming the store lights and hopingthe vertebrate will head for the outside light is also utilized. Nettingcan be setup inside the building, but the time it takes to set up thenet is lengthy, and if the net misses the vertebrate, it needs to betaken down and set up again. All these methods can lead to harming thevertebrate, while they are also not entirely effective. Though thesemethods have been around for decades, there is a need for a bettermethod of removing flying vertebrates from a large building.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a more humane flying vertebrate capturesystem, with the use of telescoping or height adjustable support poles,for deploying a bird netting with or without pockets. The bird nettingcan be deployed, repositioned, and lowered for capture much quicker andeasier than nets directly attached to the roof or rafters, thus allowingfor a much higher chance of recovering the flying vertebrate withoutharm.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, there is a method for the safe livecapture of a flying vertebrate inside a large building comprising:

-   -   a) determining the species of flying vertebrate inside the        building;    -   b) selecting bird netting;    -   c) attaching a plurality of adjustable height support poles to        the netting, the poles comprising:        -   i. a hook for attaching the poles overhead;        -   ii. a pulley attached to an upper portion of the pole; and            -   iii. a rope attached to the pulley, the rope having                devices to attach the bird netting to the rope;    -   d) positioning the netting for capture based on the species of        flying vertebrate and their flight characteristics utilizing the        height adjustable poles to raise the netting;    -   e) driving the flying vertebrate or waiting for the vertebrate        to fly into the netting pockets;    -   f) lowering the netting using the height adjustable support        poles; and    -   g) removing the flying vertebrate from the netting.

In another embodiment, there is a device for repeated quick set up forsafe live capture of a flying vertebrate in a large building comprising:

-   -   a) bird netting; and    -   b) a plurality of adjustable height support poles attached to        the netting, the poles comprising:        -   i. a hook for attaching the poles overhead;        -   ii. a pulley attached to an upper portion of the pole; and        -   iii. a rope attached to the pulley, the rope having devices            to attach the bird netting to the rope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the system of the present invention inposition in preparation for capture.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the system of the present invention'sheight adjustable pole.

FIG. 3 is a view of the rope with clips attached to the pole with thepulley.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described indetail, specific embodiments, with the understanding that the presentdisclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of theprinciples and not intended to limit the invention to the specificembodiments shown and described. In the description below, likereference numerals are used to describe the same, similar, orcorresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. This detaileddescription defines the meaning of the terms used herein andspecifically describes embodiments in order for those skilled in the artto practice the invention.

Definitions

The terms “about” and “essentially” mean±10 percent.

Use of the word term herein also refers to a phrase in defining a term.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or as morethan one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or asmore than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as atleast a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as usedherein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term“coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although notnecessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

The term “comprising” is not intended to limit inventions to onlyclaiming the present invention with such comprising language. Anyinvention using the term comprising could be separated into one or moreclaims using “consisting” or “consisting of” claim language and is sointended.

References throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certainembodiments”, and “an embodiment” or similar terms means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of thepresent invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in variousplaces throughout this specification are not necessarily all referringto the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments without limitation.

The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as an inclusive ormeaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means any ofthe following: “A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C”. Anexception to this definition will occur only when a combination ofelements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutuallyexclusive.

The drawings featured in the figures are for the purpose of illustratingcertain convenient embodiments of the present invention, and are not tobe considered as limitations thereto. The term “means” preceding apresent participle of an operation indicates a desired function forwhich there is one or more embodiments, i.e., one or more methods,devices, or apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that oneskilled in the art could select from these or their equivalent in viewof the disclosure herein and use of the term “means” is not intended tobe limiting.

As used herein, the term “flying vertebrate” refers to birds, bats orany large flying mammal or the like.

As used herein, the term “rope” refers to cord, rope, string, or thelike used to raise or lower the netting attached to it.

As used herein, the term “adjustable height support poles” refers topoles that can change in height by any means. In one embodiment, it is atelescoping pole that can lock in an up and down position. The pole hasa hook at the top for attaching the pole to the rafters, beams, or thelike on the ceiling. In one embodiment, the poles extend to 24 feet ormore telescopically.

As used herein, the term “positioning the netting for capture” refers toplacing the bird net in an upper position wherein the flying vertebratecan fly into the netting.

As used herein, the term “large building” refers to interiors ofbuildings such as large box stores, warehouses, storage facilities,retail buildings and the like. These types of buildings typically havehigh ceilings, making flying vertebrate removal very difficult.

As used herein, the term “pulley” refers to a device that the rope canpass through in order to raise or lower bird netting to the ends of thepoles, such as the top. In one embodiment, it is a carabiner, as shownin the drawings. A plurality of devices to attach the net to the ropeare placed on the rope. In one embodiment, the attachment device is aclip, as shown in the drawings.

As used herein, the term “bird netting” refers to nylon or other plasticnetting designed in the trade for the capture of birds. These typicallyhave one or more pockets designed to trap a bird, but that is just anembodiment. These types of nets run large and can have dimensions over30 feet in length.

As used herein, the term “determining the species” refers to observingthe flying vertebrate and having an expert, a guide book, or the like,for determining what kind of flying vertebrate needs to be captured. Onecan also observe the surrounding area for determination of the likelyspecies to be captured in a large building, to aid in prevention offurther entry by a flying vertebrate.

As used herein, the term “flight characteristics” refers to the flyingvertebrate, once it has been identified, one can determine how it flies.e.g. a bat flies in a different pattern than a sparrow. That flightpattern can then be used to place the netting in relationship to theposition of the flying vertebrate.

As used herein, the term “driving the flying vertebrate” refers togetting the flying vertebrate to fly, by making a loud noise,approaching the vertebrate, or by the placement of food, light, orodorant or the like. If the netting is placed correctly, then drivingthe vertebrate will cause it to fly into the netting and one of thepouches in the netting.

As used herein, the term “removal of the flying vertebrate from thenetting” refers to a key part of the present invention wherein theflying vertebrate is manually removed from the net once captured.

As used herein, the term “adapting the building” refers to taking theinformation about what species of flying vertebrate has entered thebuilding and then adapting the building so that that species cannoteasily return to the inside of the building. So, for example,eliminating nesting spots or using repellant at spots normally used fornesting, both outside and inside the building. Also adapting theentrances to prevent the species of bird from entering the building.Other structural vulnerabilities are generally looked for, includinglooking for holes and gaps, locations for entry, nesting and the like.

DRAWINGS

Now referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective of the device ofthe present invention. In this view, flying vertebrate bird 1 is shownflying around the ceiling 2 of a large warehouse building having rafters3. Sitting on the floor 4 of the building are adjustable poles 5 intheir extended position. The system capture net 6 consists of net 6mounted on height adjustable posts 5 by attaching it to clips 7 on rope8. The adjustable posts 5 in this embodiment are telescoping poles,however other height adjustable shafts are anticipated. Hook 9 isattached to rafter 3. The rope 8 on each pole 5 runs through pulley 15and is lengthened to allow the net to be pulled together to the desiredtension. Pockets 11 are formed based on the tension.

In FIG. 2 the system capture pole 5 is collapsed with pulley 15 shownpositioned in an upper position. The height adjustable poles 5 are shownhaving telescoped into their lowest position.

FIG. 3 shows a single pole 5 extended with rope 8 and clips 7 clearlyshown.

In FIG. 4 there is a flowchart of the method of the present invention.The user of the system first determines the species 30 of the flyingvertebrate by inspecting the vertebrate in the location, inspectingevidence in the surrounding area of the types of vertebrates in thearea, as well as the location of the vertebrate in the building. Next, abird netting with pockets is selected 31 and height adjustable polesattached to the bird netting for raising and lowering the net during use32. The netting is then positioned in an upper position for capture 33so the bird can fly or be chased into the netting 34 or, better still,into one of the pockets and get stuck there. Once the bird is captured,the netting can be lowered 35 in order to remove the bird from thenetting 36 and release it in the wild. Once the bird is retrieved, anoptional additional act of adapting the building to prevent the speciesfrom further entry 37 can be done making sure that doors stay closed,repellants utilized, elimination of attractants and the like areutilized.

Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains maymake modifications resulting in other embodiments employing principlesof the present invention without departing from its spirit orcharacteristics, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings.Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in allrespects only as illustrative, and not restrictive, and the scope of thepresent invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims ratherthan by the foregoing description or drawings. Consequently, while thepresent invention has been described with reference to particularembodiments, modifications of structure, sequence, materials and thelike apparent to those skilled in the art still fall within the scope ofthe invention as claimed by the applicant.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for the safe live capture of a flying vertebrate inside a large building comprising: a) determining the species of flying vertebrate inside the building; b) selecting bird netting; c) attaching a plurality of adjustable height support poles to the netting, the poles comprising: i. a hook for attaching the poles overhead; ii. a pulley attached to an upper portion of the pole; and iii. a rope attached to the pulley, the rope having devices to attach the bird netting to the rope; d) positioning the netting for capture based on the species of flying vertebrate and their flight characteristics utilizing the height adjustable poles to raise the netting; e) driving the flying vertebrate or waiting for the vertebrate to fly into the netting pockets; f) lowering the netting using the height adjustable support poles; and g) removing the flying vertebrate from the netting.
 2. The method according to claim 1 which further comprises adapting the building to prevent further entry by the determined species of flying vertebrate.
 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the poles are telescoping poles.
 4. A device for repeated quick set up for safe live capture of a flying vertebrate in a large building comprising: a) bird netting; and b) a plurality of adjustable height support poles attached to the netting, the poles comprising: i. a hook for attaching the poles overheard; ii. a pulley attached to an upper portion of the pole; and iii. a rope attached to the pulley, the rope having devices to attach the bird netting to the rope. 